tivoli continentals (hamilton, brisbane) · • publicity for the opening of the tivoli...
TRANSCRIPT
TIVOLI CONTINENTALS (Hamilton, Brisbane)
AUSTRALIAN VARIETY THEATRE ARCHIVE: RESEARCH NOTES
See last page for citation, copyright and last updated details.
(1911-1912) Tivoli Theatre (formerly Hamilton Band Stand). The located on the Hamilton Reach
Riverbank, adjoining the Hamilton Kiosk, Training Wall, and the intersection of Hamilton, Eagle Farm
and Racecourse roads (diagonally opposite the Hamilton Hotel).
Albert S. Bennett, who also managed the Kedron Park Pictures, opened his Tivoli Continentals at Bella
Sutherland's Tivoli Theatre on 16 December with a programme that included the star feature, Esmerelda, the
Irish drama Sister Angela and a film showing scenes of Australian buckjumping. Whether or not any the
premiere included any live performances is unknown. Advertising for the Boxing Night programme records
the addition of the Bavarian Band and lecturer Harry Clifford (who is also known to have worked locally as a
singer). Five days later Benenett placed advertisements in the local newspapers which highlighted the
engagement of the Marsden Trio, described as being an astonishing acrobatic juggling, strength and posing
specialty act. Also on the same bill was soprano Elsie Bates, along with a selection of dramatic, comic and
scenic pictures.
Artists known to have appeared at the Continentals during January 1912 were Eileen Phillips (illustrated
songs), Bessie Phillips (variety specialties), Don Caddon (lecturer), Myrtle Cutler (soubrette), and the
Famous Ardells (equilibrists).
It is unclear how long the Continentals season operated at the Tivoli. The last advertisement identified to
date was published on 30 January 1912.
► See also: Hamilton Band Stand (Hamilton, Brisbane)
Brisbane Courier 16 Dec. 1911, 2.
• The Hamilton Band Stand is known to have been leased by Bella Sutherland earlier in the year. She opened it in
late-September in association with C.W. Watts and Mark Truscott (trading as Imperial Electric Pictures). The
following month the venue was sub-leased by Aubrey Morley who presented the Tivoli and Lyric Continentals
there until late-November or early October. Albert Bennett's season followed a week or so later.
• Publicity for the opening of the Tivoli Continentals describes Albert Bennett as "Australia's expert electrician"
and "Australia's premiere biograph electrician."
• Myrtle Cutler: For her debut with Ted Holland's Entertainers (Theatre Royal, Brisbane) in 1908 Cutler was
billed as a child soubrette. Her career between 1906 and 1912 appears to have been carried out almost exclusively
in Queensland (and predominantly in Brisbane).
• Harry Clifford: Recorded as being manager of the Lyric Theatre in Brisbane in
1913.
• Phillips Sisters: Eileen Phillips appeared at the Continentals on 4 January and her
sister Bessie on 6 and 30 January. Raised in the Brisbane suburb of Kelvin Grove,
they later carved out a successful career in vaudeville as the Phillips Sisters.
Bessie Phillips' 6 January 1912 performance, included the Indian song "My Old
Wild Dear" and a skipping rope dance. She was accompanied by Mrs Tarrant
(piano) and Miss Payne (violin)
Gordon and Gotch (Queensland) Ltd. "Map of Brisbane and suburbs, 1920."
Source: National Library of Queensland
The Phillips Sisters
L-R: Bessie and Eileen
Australian Variety 17 Jan. (1917), n. pag
1911
Telegraph (Brisbane) 16 Dec. 1911, 8.
Telegraph (Brisbane) 21 Dec. 1911, 11.
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/176684074
Telegraph (Brisbane) 26 Dec. 1911, 10.
Brisbane Courier 30 Dec. 1911, 2.
1912
Brisbane Courier 1 Jan. 1912, 4.
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article19722446
Telegraph (Brisbane) 1 Jan. 1912, 3.
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/175083931
Telegraph (Brisbane) 4 Jan. 1912, 9.
Telegraph (Brisbane) 6 Jan. 1912, 8.
Telegraph (Brisbane) 8 Jan. 1912, 4.
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/175086176
Telegraph (Brisbane) 13 Jan. 1912, 3.
Telegraph (Brisbane) 23 Jan. 1912, 6.
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/175086412
Telegraph (Brisbane) 27 Jan. 1912, 4.
Telegraph (Brisbane) 27 Jan. 1912, 8.
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/175080666
Telegraph (Brisbane) 30 Jan. 1912, 7.
Australian Variety Theatre Archive: Research Notes
First published by Clay Djubal: 26/10/2019
NB: The URL for this PDF will change each time it is updated. If you wish to link to this record please use the following:
Australian Variety Theatre Archive • https://ozvta.com/industry-misc-1/2/
The information within these pages should be considered a snapshot only. Its purpose is to serve as a basis for further
investigation and as a repository for online references that may eventually disappear.
Any works snagged or transcribed from other sources remain the copyright of their respective authors/publishers.
The authorship and/or original publication details are provided and these should be cited (not the AVTA).*
NB: New information is continuously being made available as more newspapers are digitised by Trove (Australian National
Library Digitised Newspapers resource)
* Material published the AVTA's Research Notes will be removed if requested by the legally-confirmed copyright owner. Please contact the AVTA.